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Jamaica Motor Show in Montego Bay thrills auto lovers

Published:Saturday | May 11, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Joe Ferreria (right) and Liliana Cruz, directors of new markets for Metis Motors, with two models of the Tata Nano LX during the 2013 Jamaica Motor Show, which was held at the Dump-up Beach in Montego Bay on Sunday. Tata Nano LX, developed in India, is on sale for less than $1 million and had its first showing in Montego Bay at Sunday's motor show. - Photo by Christopher Thomas

Christopher Thomas

Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Motor-vehicle enthusiasts in Montego Bay got a spectacular display of brand-new motor cars from several vehicle distributors during the fifth annual Jamaica Motor Show, which was held at Dump-up Beach on Sunday.

"This is our third year in Montego Bay, and with the ad campaign we've been on, we like the buzz we're getting already," said Ian Lyn, CEO of Firm Marketing Agency and vice-president of sales and marketing for Kia Motors.

During Sunday's show, patrons witnessed the official Jamaica launch of the Indian-made 2012 Tata Nano, from Metis Motors, and the 2013 Kia Sorento sports utility vehicle (SUV), from Kia Motors Ltd.

The Tata Nano was on sale for roughly $1 million, while the Sorento was going for up to $6 million.

NOTEWORTHY VEHICLES

Other noteworthy vehicles on display included Subaru's 2013 Forester XT and 2013 XV and Kia Motors' 2013 Sportage SUV.

In addition to the car displays, there were several booths put in place for patrons to secure information on motor-vehicle insurance and payment plans. Booths were available for several of the event's sponsors, including Scotiabank, Sagicor Bank, and Carmax Jamaica.

Joe Ferreria, director of new markets for Metis Motors, said the Tata Nano was being displayed for the first time in Montego Bay.

"We did a couple of shows in Kingston and Mandeville before, but this is the first one in Montego Bay, and the response has been great, and everybody knows what the car (Tata Nano) is about," Ferreria said.

Omar Spence, manager of marketing programmes at Scotiabank, said that the motor show would provide an opportunity for the bank to reach clients in western Jamaica.

"We are excited about being here today because we hardly get to do things on this side of the island. So having a car show in Montego Bay is something we're excited about because that's where the mass of the market is," said Spence.

'Having a car show in Montego Bay is something we're excited about because that's where the mass of the market is.'